David Gianulias and the Insulation Debate

In the home building market, there are many different choices when it comes to insulation, explains David Gianulias. He and his staff at Three G Development are well equipped to answer a homeowner's questions when it comes to insulation and home efficiency. Here he lists the most commonly used insulation materials and application methods.
                                               

• Insulation is the material which will help to keep the home or building warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Poor insulation leads to lackluster energy efficiency as well as discomfort for the persons living or working in the building. All insulation is measured based on its R-value, which determines the amount of heat that is transferred through the insulating material. 

• The area where the new building or home is located will play a part in deciding which insulation is necessary for the climate. Cellulose, fiberglass, and foam are traditional insulation choices, though many new materials have hit the market with success. Two forms of mineral wool, slag wool and rock wool are growing in demand. These compounds are derived from volcanic activity. Some builders and home owners may prefer to use concrete blocks, spray foam, foam board, insulating concrete forms, or structural insulated panels.

• How the insulation is applied will depend upon the type that is chosen. Spray foam, for example is a liquid that is literally sprayed over the area to be insulated. While cellulose and fiberglass style loose insulation, David Gianulias explains, are blown into the home's open spaces between interior and exterior walls.

David Gianulias Offers Mountain Bike Selection Tips

When David Gianulias is not running a successful winery or building business in California, he likes to spend some of his free time mountain biking. He knows that one of the first things a new mountain biker must do is select the appropriate bicycle. With so many styles of mountain bike to choose from, he offers the following explanations of each type and their uses.
                                      

• Choosing a mountain bike may seem overwhelming with many different features, accessories, and price points. The less expensive options run in the few hundred dollar range, while the more expensive choices are as much as five thousand dollars. This makes choosing the correct bike even more crucial. It is a waste of money to purchase a highly expensive mountain bike if it will not be used to its fullest potential. On the same note, a cheaper bike will not serve well for persons who plan to cover the hardest terrain.
• Cross-country bikes are some of the most commonly sold. These mountain bikes are lightweight and easy to pedal. They are the best choice for those who will traverse flat or low hill terrain. Their suspension is set to handle only small obstacles. A cross-country bike may be modified to become a trail mountain bike. This is accomplished by softening the overall suspension so that the bike may travel over moderate obstacles. Mostly flat ground is still the terrain recommended for this bike style.
• An all-mountain bike was built specifically for climbing higher hills. These bikes are heavier than cross-country bikes and have a naturally softer suspension. They are the best choice for riders who plan to traverse rocky or more rough ground and many hills.
• If a rider is set on a fast paced excursion, a downhill bike is the most appropriate choice. Downhill mountain bikes are designed especially for speed. Their suspension is set at the highest of any of the mountain bike family, which means that they can handle the abuse of flying over rocks and rough ground when speeding downhill. However, a downhill mountain bike will struggle when the rider needs to go uphill.
• Mountain bikers who yearn for acrobatics and jumps will want to purchase a dirt jump style mountain bike. These bikes are smaller than their brethren and built to withstand the rough and tumble nature of bike jumping in rough terrain.
• Freeride mountain bikes, David Gianulias favorite choice, offer a compromise between features of many other styles. These mountain bikes can handle large jumps, moderate to rough terrain, and speed. With wider wheels and a well thought out suspension, riders are afforded ease when traveling up or downhill, at many different speeds.

David Gianulias and the Best Way to Serve Pinot Noir

As a winemaker, David Gianulias is knowledgeable in the ways to serve Pinot Noir. Through his Levendi Winery, he sells a Russian River Pinot Noir as well as a Rose of Pinot Noir. Here he offers his wisdom of this grape variety and its light wines.

David Gianulias

•  Unlike many red wines that are deeper in color and flavor, the Pinot Noir variety is often served slightly chilled. Consider cooling the wine until it is roughly ten degrees below room temperature. This gives the best atmosphere for the wine to breathe and allow the flavors and aromas to shine on the tongue.

• Choosing to decant a Pinot Noir before serving I decided based upon the quality and vintage of the wine. If the Pinot Noir is young, it should be decanted to allow added oxygen into the wine. This process, which involves pouring the wine into a separate vessel and letting it rest in the open, adds aeration to the liquid. Pinot Noirs which are older and more refined should never be decanted. Too much aeration and the delicate bouquet of the wine will be dulled.

• Pinot Noir is a delicate wine. Improper temperature and too little or too much aeration can ruin the experience. It is because of this that many novice wine connoisseurs are intimidated by the variety. Instead of shying away from a Pinot Noir selection, follow the simple rules listed above for a successful tasting each time.

• When serving a Pinot Noir, whether decanted or not, the wine should always be poured into a larger balloon-shaped glass. This style of glass will give the Pinot Noir room to breathe and let loose its aroma, while still trapping that aroma within the rim. Classic wine enthusiasts always promote swirling the wine within the glass before drinking to enhance the subtle flavors.

• Care should be taken when storing a Pinot Noir of any age, especially if it will not be uncorked for some time. If not stored properly, the wine will age too quickly and the drinker will miss out on the peak flavor time. It is not necessary to store the wine in a specific wine cooler. If the server's home has a wine cellar, basement, or other cool and dark room, that will suffice. As long as the Pinot Noir is kept at a temperature between forty-five and sixty-five degrees Fahrenheit.

• How a Pinot Noir bottle is stored is equally important to its environmental temperature. These wine bottles must be stored on their sides, laying down. This ensures that oxygen does not leak into the bottle through the cork. It also keeps the cork moist which means that it will not crack over time says David Gianulias.